OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Before your kids go back to school, some of their teachers are getting a lesson of their own.

A new initiative hopes to improve science and math classes in the rural schools, and it's starting in 9 local school districts.

Class was back in session Thursday and Friday, but teachers are actually the students, as they got new tools to focus more on math and science.

It's a new pilot program in the Rural Communities STEM Initiative (RCSI), and the educators are dissecting a "Lab-In-A-Box" for the upcoming school year.

Campbell County teacher Pamela Hill said, "The ability to make science hands on, expose the kids to careers," as she described her excitement about her new, free lesson plan.

Pamela teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math, and after 23 years of teaching in rural areas, she said, "This is the type of thing that levels the playing field, and the rural communities can then compete with the urban schools," she said.

Roane State Community College and Oak Ridge Associated Universities combined their resources, and local businesses donated to pay for each $7,500 lab. They created 7 different kits for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classrooms.

Dr. Gary Goff, President of Roane State, said, "If we can improve math and science scores and be able to get the students directly into college level chemistry, biology, mathematics and statistics, we'll be better off in the long run."

The initiative is focused first on middle school students, because Dr. Goff said research revealed students lose interest in math and science at that age.

Pamela said, "Obviously if the students are interested and want to participate, they're going to learn more."

She thinks that will mean better test scores, so now she's looking forward to the all-too-common student question, 'why do I need to learn this?' "And this has been an awesome way to make that connection for the students," she said.

Teachers from Anderson, Campbell, Loudon, Morgan, and Scott Counties, and the separate school districts of Lenoir City, Oneida, and Clinton participated in the lab training.

Leaders in the RCSI initiative hope to expand the program to all 55 middle schools in the 6 counties. And the ultimate goal is to provide labs for elementary and high schools in the rural areas.

RCSI outreach efforts also include activities in schools during National Engineers Week, when local scientists, mathematicians, architects and other professionals visit rural schools.

The Roane State Foundation raised about $65,000 for this first year. They say they need to continue fundraising, and sponsorships from individuals and companies. Tax-deductible corporate and individual donations can be made through the Roane State Foundation by calling (865) 882-4507.